Fluid pressure regulator



FLUID PRESSURE REGULATOR 2 Sheefcs-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 1]., 1936 I Q 10 0 I I Z .5 INVENTOR 13 Au. D. mcLLAn ATTORNEYS March 0" E I A. :D. 'M'Q LE N 7 2,195,337

FLUID PRESSURE REGULATOR Filed Nov. 11, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v.

" ,INVEYNTORK Anna D. flAgl agnr BY JMk WrzMw ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES FLUID raassmm nacum'roa Allen 'D. MacLean, Pittsburgh, Pa... assignor to Pittsburgh Equitable Meter Company. Pittsburgh, la., acorporatlon of Pennsylvania Application November 11, 1986, Serial No. 110,359

Claims.

' This invention relates to improvements in' pressure regulators, particularly of the balanced valve type intended for high pressure service.

In regulators of this type, a wing type of guide '5 heretofore vhas been employed for guiding the thereof so that it is removed from the high velocity area of the expanding gas. Consequently, the congealing of tar and gum on the valve guide due to the cooling effect of the expanding gas which 20. causes the valve to stick is substantially eliminated. The location of the guide in this manner results in an increased life for the valve because there is no concentration of velocity such as occurs in the wing type of guide to cause excessive I 26 localized wear. This also results in an increased capacity of the regulator, andallows the use of various improved fprms of valves.

It is an object of this invention to provide in a pressure regulator a novel guide for the valve stem, the guide being removed from the expansion area in the valve so as to eliminate sticking of the valve due to congealed tar, gum and other foreign matter deposited thereon by reason of the cooling of the expanding gasvide novel guide means wherein the means is positioned entirely within the valve bowl in the high pressure zone to reduce resistance to fluid flow to a minimum and to reduce wear thereof by reason 44 v of high velocity fluid flow thereby.

A further object of my invention is to provide novel guide means for the-valve stem of a regulator whereby friction is reduced to a minimum and contact between the several valve elements of the regulator takes place only in closed position of the regulator, the elements being free from contact with one another in all other positions of the regulator.

It is a further object to provide readily removable valves and valve seats whereby any of these parts worn out in service may be replaced and adjusted from theexterior of the bowl without disturbing the regulator connections.

A further object is the provision of novel means for adjusting a plurality of valves to provide for guide for the valve on the high pressure side Still a further object of this invention is to pro- (0i. so-21) simtlltaneous closing thereof against the valve sea A further object is to provide a novel regulator structure comprising a removable bowl carrying valve members secured to a valve stem and having a guide for the valve stem, the entire assembly being removable as a unit without removing the regulator from the line.

Another object is the provision of a valve bowl having a central guide for the valves operating 10 therein with means for lubrication thereof.

These and-other objects will be apparent from v a considerationof the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a regulator, the side closing plate being removed;

Figure '2 is a side view of the regulator with the valve bowl and valves removed; 1

' Figure 3 is a section view taken on line III-III of Figure 1, and I Figure 4 is a fragmentary view showing a preferred lubricator.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus comprises a valve casing I having a high pressure inlet passage 2, and a low pressure outlet passage 3 communicating with a bowl chamber 4, the passages being separated by a horizontal curved dividing wall 5 having a vertical portion 6. Vertical portion 6 has an opening 1 therethrough for the passage of gas from the inlet passage 2 to the outlet passage 3. A valve bowl 8 has a machined flange 9 at one end which is machined on one face and is adapted to be secured to a machined face. ll) of the dividing wall 6 in any suitable manner, as by stud bolts I l, the flange 9 having a guide portion extended into opening I. This construction enables valve bowl 8 to be readily removed and replaced and eliminates the necessity for special sealing means therefor.

A passage l2 through the flange 9 communicates with the opening I and with the interior of the bowl 8. The bowl chamber 4 is adapted to be closed by a cover (not shown) bolted to the flange [3 on the valve casing surrounding the chamber, the cover being sealed by suitable means.

The removable bowl 8 has an opening it in the opposite end wall adapted to be covered by a cover l5 secured thereto by bolts I 6, a suitable gasket being interposed to prevent leakage. Opposed and vertically spaced openings l1 and I8 are provided in the wall of the bowl to receive valve seat members i9 and 2!. The fixed valve seat member l9 comprises a flange 2'2 surrounding a cylindrical skirt 23 received in the opening II in the wall of the bowl. A step 24 on the flange is received on a shoulder 25 formed in the valve bowl 5 surrounding opening l1. The valve seat member I! is held in position by screws 25, a suitable gasket being interposed between the step 24 and shoulder 25 to prevent leakage therebetween. The innermost edge of the cylindrical portion 23 ofthe valve seat member I! is tapered to provide a sharp edged annulus 25. The valve seat member 2| has a flange 25 through which passes the screws 3| by whichthe member is secured to the bowl. The valve seat member'2l has a cylindrical skirt 32 received in the opening ll of the bowl. Skirt 32 has a portion thereof tapered to Provide a sharp edged annulus 33.

A diametrically disposed integral bar 34 rectangular in cross section in the bowl 5 supports a central hub 35 integral therewith, the hub being bored at 35 to allow a clearance for the valve stem 31 which passes therethrough and which is journaled in bushings 35 and 39 suitably fitted in the counterbored ends of the hub 35. The hub 35 and bar 34 constitute guide means for the valve stem, the guide means being positioned entirely within the bowl so that it is subject to only he high pressure fluid.

The valve stem 31 extends through the cylindrical skirts 23 and 32 of the valve seat members I9 and 2| respectively, and is reduced and threaded at one end as indicated at 4| to provide a shoulder 42. The opposite end of the stem 31 is reduced and threaded as indicated at 43. A valve or valve member which is substantially bell-shaped has an opening 45 therethrough at one end which receives the reduced end 4| of the valve stem, the end of the bell resting on the shoulder 42 on a washer 41 of copper or other suitable sealing material. By forming valve member 45 in the shape of a bell, it is possible to lengthen the hub 35 and correspondingly increase the eflicieney of the guide means.

The valve member 45 is secured in place against shoulder 42 and washer 41 by lock nuts 45 and 45 threaded on to the reduced end 4| of the shaft. Member 45 is recessed adjacent its outer edge at to receive an inlaid annulus 5| of any suitable sealing material, such as semisteel or tool-steel for high pressure valves, or rubber, Paraprene or the like for low pressure valves, the annulus 5| being retained in place by an internally threaded retaining ring 52 threaded on to the cylindrical threaded hub 53 of the member 45. Y

A second valve member 55 has a threaded bore 55 therein anda counterbore 51, the opposite reduced end 43 of the stem 31 being received in the threaded bore 55 of the valve member, and the shaft 31 being received in the counterbore 51 which forms a close fit therewith. Member 55 is recessed as at 55 to receive an inlaid annulus 55 of any suitable sealing material, the annulus being retained in place by an internally threaded retaining ring 55 threaded on a cylindrical threaded portion 5| of the valve member. In assembled position the valve member is threaded on the reduced threaded portion 43 of the valve stem 31 by a suitable spanner wrench (not shown) fitting into holes 54, the fit of the counterbore 51 with the stem 31 serving as a guide to maintain the valve member and seat 2| parallel.

The arrangement thus described provides means whereby member 55 can be adjusted to a point where valve sealing members 5| and 55 will seat simultaneously against the valve seats 25 and 33, respectively, upon predetermined movement of valve stem 31. Member 55 is locked in this position by a lock nut 52 threaded on to the threaded reduced portion 43 of the valve stem, a suitable washer 53 of copper or other sealing material being interposed between the nut 52 and the member 55.

As shown in Figure 3, there is a lubricating passage 55' extending through one-of the spokes 34 which terminates in an enlarged threaded bore 55 adapted to receive any suitable type of pressure lubricant fitting. In the preferred modification shown in Figure 4, an elbow 55a is threaded therein and is connected by a suitable tube coupling with a coil of tubing 55b passing through the cover 550 and adapted to receive a pressure fitting 55d at its outer end.

This arrangement insures operation of the valve guide means with a minimum 'of friction. In this particular, it is to be noted that there is no other resistance to valve stem movement except that in the guide since the valve elements herein shown do not contact and hinder movement of the valve stem until they are in closed position. At all other positions, they are out of contact. Such, lubrication and elimination of friction between the valve elements and guide means has not been possible heretofore where wing guides and like means have been employed.

Referring to Figure 1, the casing I has an opening "at its top surrounded by a machined face 55. A diaphragm case 51' having a flange 55, preferably with a machined face, is secured to the face 55 in any suitable manner, a gasket preferably being employed therebetween for sealing purposes. The diaphragm case 51 houses a diaphragm 59 clamped at its outer perphery between the two halves of the diaphragm case, the diaphragm 59 being secured at its center in any suitable manner to a valve operating rod 1| The valve operating rod 1| passes through a bore 12 in the lower portion of the diaphragm casing which is counterbored to provide a packing chamber 13. A recess 14 formed in the lower portion of the casing accommodates a follower or gland 15 for packing chamber 13 whereby leakage around the valve operating rod 1| is prevented. The stem 1| at one end carries a block 15 to which the reduced end 4| of the valve stem 31 is adapted to be removably secured in known manner as by a pin. r

The pressure in the regulator outlet 3 is transmitted to the control chamber 11 through a suitable pipe 15 connected therewith at one end and to the outlet 3 at its other end. The gas pressure in control chamber 11 is counterbalanced in any suitable manner, as by a weight 18 on the end of the lever 3| mounted on a fixed pivot 52 at one end and connected by a swiveled link 53 to a guided rod 54 which bears on the end of operating rod H.

The operation of the apparatus will now be described. Fluid such as gas under pressure enters the inlet side 2, and when the valve members 45 and 55 are in open position, the fluid passes around dividing walls 5 and 5 through opening, 1 therein into valve bowl 5 and through the open valves into the outlet 3, the pressure in the outlet 3 being communicated by pipe 15 to the control chamber 11. When the pressure in the control chamber reaches that for which the regulator is set, the diaphragm 55 is raised upward, and through rod 1| coupled to valve stem 31,the valve members 45 and 55 having the seats 5| and 55, respectively, are moved upwardly against the valve bowl on the high pressure side of said valve valve seats 28 and 38, respectively, to close communication betweenthe inlet and outlet. The

- central bushings 38 and 39 provide a working clearance with the valve stem 31 so that the stem moves readily therethrough and is accurately lq gltudinally guided in its motion so as to enable flange l8, and unscrewing the nuts from the studs H which disconnect the valve bowl from the easing and allows its removal through the opening in flange IS, the connecting block 18 being readily uncoupled from the valve stem 31. The parts of the valveare thus readily accessible for replacement or repair.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made in the construction illustrated and described without departing from the invention. The valve seats and edges may be interchangeable, that is, one or both seats may be secured to the valve bowl while the stem carries both or one respectively valve edges.

Summing up the more obvious advantages of the present invention; the guide provided for the valves is located onthe high pressure side of the valve so that it. is not subject to undue wear and gum and other foreign matter will not condense thereon as in the zone of the expanding gas. The invention further provides a valve bowl and valve means susceptible of ready removal and replacement without disturbing the regulator connections, the valve means being capable of adjustment without removal of the bowl. The ease of operation and sensitivity of the regulator is likewise increased by lubrication of the valve guiding means whereby the latter moves with a minimum of eflort.

The invention may be embodied inother speciflc forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the ioregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a pressure regulator, a valve casing having a high pressure inlet, a bowl chamber separated therefrom by a perforate dividing wall, a lateral opening in said bowl chamber adapted to be closed by a cover, a valve bowl removably secured to said dividing wall and removable through said opening. said valve bowl communicating with said inlet and having two aligned valve apertures therein, a low pressure outlet in said casing communicating with said valve bowl through said valve apertures, a longitudinally movable valve stem carrying valve members cooperating with said valve apertures to control the flow of fluid therethrough from said inlet to said outlet, diaphragm means for controlling the position 01' said valve members and including a valve operating rod extending into said bowl chamber and secured to said valve stem, guide means for said valve stem, said guide means being located wholly within, and supported by, said members, whereby said valve apertures are unobstructed and said guide means and valve stem are removed from. the high velocity area of expanding 2. In a pressure regulator, a valve easing having a high pressure inlet and a low pressure outlet, a dividing wall providing a bowl having .two aligned valve apertures'thereon separating said inlet and said outlet, a valve stem in said bowl, valve members on said stem adjacent the ends thereof cooperating with said valve apertures to control the flow of fluid therethrough from said inlet to said outlet, pressure responsive means connected to said valve stem for controlling the pressure side of said valve apertures, whereby saidvalve apertures are unobstructed and said guide means and said valve stem are removed from the action of said valve members, and guide means high velocity area of expanding fluid flowing through said valve casing.

3. In a pressure regulator,'a valve casing having a high pressure inlet and a low pressure outlet, a dividing wall providing a bowl having two aligned and spaced valve apertures therein, a valve stem in said bowl, valve members carried by said stem adjacent the ends thereof cooperating with said apertures to control the flow of fluid therethrough, one of said valve members being substantially bell shaped andsecured in predetermined position on said stem so as to encircle one end of said stem and cooperate with one of said apertures, the other of said valve members being adiustably secured to said stem to cooperate with the other of said apertures, pressure responsive means operably connected to said valve stem for controlling the action of said valve members, and guide means for said valve stem,

' said guide means being located wholly within said bowl on the high pressure side of said valve apertures and with one end encircled by said bell shaped valve member, whereby said valve apertures are unobstructed and said valve stem and guide means are removed from the high velocity area of expanding fluid.

4. In a pressure regulator, a casing having a high pressure-inlet and a low pressure outlet, a dividing wall providing a bowl having two aligned valve apertures therein, a valve stem in said bowl, valve members carried by said-stem and cooperating with said apertures to control the flow of fluid therethrough, one of said valve members being held in predetermined position on one end of said stem to cooperate with one of said apertures and the other 01' said valve members being adjustably secured to the opposite end of said stem to cooperate with the other of said apertures, an access hole in said casing to permit adjustment of said second valve member, pressure responsive means operably connectedto said valve stem for controlling the action of, said valve members, and a central guide means for said valve stem, said guide means being located wholly within said bowl between said apertures and on the high pressure side thereof, whereby said valve apertures are unobstructed and said valve stem and guide means are removed from the high velocity area of expanding fluid.

5. In a pressure regulator, a valve casing having a high pressure inlet and a low pressure outlet, a dividing wall providing a bowl having two spaced and aligned valve apertures therein, valve seat members secured to said bowl in said apercarried by said stem and cooperating with said seat members to control the flow of fluid through a said apertures, one of said valve members being held in predetermined position on one end or said m bowl to cooperate with the other or said seat members, a lock nut threaded on said stem on the exterior or said bowl for locking the valve mem- 8,195,887 -tures, a valve stem in said bowl, valve members ber in position, an access holein said casing to permit adjustment of said second valve member. pressure responsive means connected tosaid stem for controlling the action of said valve members, and a central guide means for said stem, said guide means being located wholly within, and supported by, said bowl between and on the high pressure side of said apertures, whereby said valve apertures are unobstructed and said valve stem and guide means are removed from the high.

velocity area 01' expanding fluid. I

ALLEN D.'MAOL.EAN. 

